Anticipation

I've got ceilings

If you compare with previous pics, the railings were moved

almost there...

Was another busy day

Full of meetings with my contractors

and cabinet / closet suppliers

We're moving real soon

And I am using all the charm to make

them finish on time

Then there's the Halloween party

Kids are big enough

they went as whatever costume they made up

They have their own group already

So unlike years past

When I had to accompany them

To trick or treating

And since I love interiors

Was more interested in the homes than candies

I've been kinda emotional lately

Must be the stresses I deal with the move

But I enjoy it immensely

It just really consumes your time

since I'm very hands on

No other way to do it

with my personality

I guess I'm in that in between stage

Of leaving a home we've stayed the most in

and on to a new life, so we say

Leaving behind people you see on a daily basis

Friendly faces

though it's still near and I can always visit

It is different

I was so touched yesterday

when the head of our security

talked to me and actually shed tears

He thanked me for all the things they've learned

And how he appreciates the lessons even more now

I am a disciplinarian

But I am soft

Sometimes, people don't understand

But thank God, truth and goodness cannot be covered up

Being President and on the Board since inception

I love the staff, they're like children to me

And I, too , feel a certain void leaving
I really feel their love

And now the understanding

Because now I leave

knowing I had made a difference

And that's what I'm going to take with me.

Can't wait!

White, white, white

At a recent event I covered
I just noticed that a lot of events
require their guests to come in white
So here I am
always ready to oblige

Enjoy the long weekend!

Hot pants

top: ZARA, pants: Culte Femme, belt: Ferragamo, clutch: Aranaz



In a recent event I covered
Happy Sunday!

I've got rails!

I think you've seen how this space has evolved.
I've got rails now.
Exciting time...

Dining at Tivoli

Last day today to enjoy this gastronomic experience!

w/ my date

w/ Charisse Chuidian

w/ Thomas Wenger , Rene Ottlik, Olivier Rodriguez

in front of Tivoli, Mandarin Oriental Manila

Thank you to Mandarin Oriental's GM, Mark Bradford for inviting us over

to enjoy the culinary expertise of Michelin Star chef, Olivier Rodriguez.

I had a very full day that day that all I wanted was to sleep

and massage my feet!

I had countless meetings that day then

went to Manila FAME with my bff, Cel

picked up kids

went to Space 2000 (Furnitalia's cabinets/kitchen section)

went home, my Mom is sleeping over

She cooked for the kids

One thing I'm happy about is that my kids love my Mom's cooking

My mom's a great cook

even my hubby says so

So am glad that growing up we always enjoyed her cooking

and am able to share that with my children

Rested a bit then got ready to go out

My hubby and I always tease each other

saying, are we that old???

When you see me at events

I would only stay for maximum 2 hours

Normally, from 6ish to 8 p.m.

So, I'm home early and still have quiet time.

That dinner was like 4 hours!!!

It's a 7-course menu

and I needed toothpicks to keep my eyes open as 4th course was

already at 10 p.m.!

Good thing, every course was worth the wait

If you still can make it

Book a table at Tivoli

Last day to experience Olivier's food tonight!

Bon appetit!

Pink, White & Green

Rainy day in Manila
Kids went on half day
Picked them up
went to Muji
as my eldest also wanted the pen of his younger brother
Had lunch at Hi Street then Home Depot with the kids & hubby

LRI alone to check on my client's needs

I must say
This must have been the most
not- so- tiring day I've had for the past several months

Gotta go
cooking ravioli for the kids tonight

Stay safe!

Prettiest teachers in town

Cris, Rina & Nani

Rina, Cris & Nani

Okay, okay, I can almost hear Rina complaining

that she's not a teacher

technically only Nani is

Rina's the Admissions Officer

and Cris is the nerve center

Told them that they must be the prettiest teachers

this town has seen

They gladly posed for everydayflair

and truth be told

Rina was the one who pushed me to start a blog

then Cris, as always, agreed

So here's to the best support group

any Mom in school could have

Here's to more dedicated young people like you!

Stay cute!

Construction updates

seen at the back, the maid's loft

I love the Vigan bricks and got them for a steal!

Just sharing with you how far along now, am pressured if they can finish on time

So far, they're still confident

Stay tuned...

Site visit

Reg Yuson explaining his idea

It's a Sunday

Most people just relax and don't want to do anything

I am so touched that my good friend Reg texted early morning

as soon as he woke up to tell me he wants to go back to the site

and conceptualize

I have asked Reg to do something for our space

Most artworks that we have at home

are from artist friends

It just makes everything more meaningful

It creates more joy knowing friends helped

in how the space evolved

What started as a plan on where Reg will work

a little inspiration and eureka

an idea just sprouted in his head

I LOVE IT!!!

I am sooo excited to see how his vision will materialize

Thanks for picking me up

and the cool ride

though you didn't allow me to take your picture

infront of your banner all over Global City (haha)

You drove all the way on a Sunday

to please a friend.

Thank you, Reg.

Keep shining!

MUJI

dinner afterwards with my bff, Cel

Attended the opening of MUJI

Am sure it will be full of customers today.

I admire what they stand for

good quality without namebrands

Enjoy your shopping...

Daddy's girl

top and pants: ZARA, belt : Gap

I love the rain

Yea, am not one of those people who complain when it's raining

I actually enjoy it

kinda romantic

and besides we need water

Today's my dad's death anniversary

Visited him

What's interesting about heaven and earth

is that no matter how diverse both seem

and how spiritual the relationship is

You really feel the ubiquitous presence

of the one you love

I talked to my dad and filled him in on things

Was always a daddy's girl

I got a lot of my qualities from him

My being organized and neat?

He's even more organized and neat

Compassionate, caring, supportive

Super intelligent

I remember we would watch Quiz Bee as a kid

and he would compute the answers mentally

He was exceptionally good in Math

He's the type that my teacher is wrong and he's correct

to which my teacher after I cite my dad's correction

will retract her initial answer

I even had purple clips before

that had "Daddy's girl" engraved on it

In my world

I would only describe my dad

in the superlative degree

So as poetic as it seemed

I had one on one talk with him

lighting the candle while balancing the umbrella

Rain on the burning candle

Amazing how it still burns through the rain

Talked to my Mom

when I got home in the evening

and she said my candle burned to the last wick

And I thought

Even with the rain

Nothing can stop the light

my Dad gives

What can I say, I am still a Daddy's girl

How do we clean the windows?

how will we clean these windows

my lamp for my closet

Love the huge, high windows

Question is, how do we clean it?

No ladder can reach that high

Hmmm....

Havaianas Operation Smile

w/ Anne & Mai

Attended the Havaianas event for the benefit of Operation Smile, a foundation catered to help those born with cleft lip

Always worthwhile to support companies with good causes and with the goal of giving back.

Congratulations and keep it up!

My best friend's 40th

this photo, I think, portrays our friendship and how we are when together

w/ my bestfriend, Cel and her loving, generous hubby, Bits

the lovely couple

with our beautiful flower girl, wow, has she grown!

A lot of my friends are celebrating their 40th this year

Some already are in the early 40's category

My best friend, Cel, celebrated her 40th last Thursday

Was an intimate get together with her family and closest friends

I think I've said it so many times

but our friendship is one of the most wonderful blessings I cherish

We were classmates in Prep

We've been together through the first crushes

to heartbreaks to real love

Through how to get rid of pimples

to being a mom

She was my maid of honor while I was her matron of honor

She's godmother to both my kids

And I'm godmother to all her kids

Looking at our photos

It's heartwarming to know

that in this world where shallow friendships

and not so trustworthy people exist

You only need one real friend

to be there for you, for life

Happy 40th, Cely

You have all the blessings you could wish for

and more

You deserve it!

Love to you always

Looking forward to our 50th!

Looking forward

photo credit : Rina

Just a quick sharing of this photo
Was looking at our place from this vantage point

Gotta go, off to my best friend's 40th birthday party
Another celebration!
Night!

The beams

These two are my engineers/contractors
they're the ones I talk and text several ,
and I mean SEVERAL times a day
Even on Sundays!

They're the ones I complain to
if there's something that does not
match my vision
I can't get mad at the workers
So I course it through them
haha, remember, the kumpare factor

In other words
they keep the process sane for me

It helps to work with cool guys
Cause when am already
in my best OC state
they manage to keep everything
like they have it under control

I use them also for my other design projects
Easy to talk to
And I always feel they care enough
about the project

So should you need a decent contractor
Just send me a message
and I recommend these two
And best of all
We always manage to share a laugh or two

Who says you can't have fun while constructing?

Building dreams II

going to the loft

My hang out

With the smell of cement, dust everywhere

and traipsing on stairs without railings (for now)

I love it

love the whole organic process of building

For those who think it's not for them

I highly recommend it

No other way to build your home

but with all the labor of love

you put in it

Almost there...

Fairy godmother

at the site

Sorry for not blogging lately

Yes, been pre-occupied with the construction

Lots of things to decide on

I have to step up as plans are not complete

So I am now my own client

My husband & I are basically designing the whole thing

My husband tells me

Workers must say why I'm always there

I'm there before them so I can check when place is quiet

I would ask them to remove tiles if not installed straight

even a millimeter not straight, I can tell

I check mistakes in plans

and have on occasion asked them to remove walls

Through it all

I told my husband

But they like me

How do I know?

I make sure to compliment good work

and correct mediocre ones

I talk to them like we're

all part of a team

They learn from me

And I've learned a lot from them

And the ultimate proof that they don't mind a meticulous boss?

One of them already asked

if I can be godmother to his child.

To which I replied, sure kumpare!

Small bathroom

Sharing with you the first one that I can concretely see my concept unfold

Here's the maids' bathroom.

Didn't want to go with the usual white to make the space look bigger

It's small, accept that, no pretensions

But that wouldn't stop me from making it stunning

Initial impact was what I was going for

And though it might seem like I like fashion

Interiors really give me a high

Enjoy your week!

In A Barbie World

w/ Dave Kaufman, Jackie Laudico & my goddaughter, Kea

Whoever thought of this tagline did it good for Barbie, witty & funny

one of my faves

ooops, meant to upload another one

Sharing with you photos from the Barbie event at Greenbelt 5.

Hope you got to see it.